Panasonic GF1 vs Sony NEX-5R
85 Imaging
47 Features
47 Overall
47
![Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 front Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 front](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/cameras/gallery/medium/Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-GF1/Panasonic-GF1-front.jpg)
![Sony Alpha NEX-5R front Sony Alpha NEX-5R front](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/cameras/gallery/medium/Sony-Alpha-NEX-5R/Sony-NEX-5R-front.jpg)
89 Imaging
57 Features
76 Overall
64
Panasonic GF1 vs Sony NEX-5R Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 3200
- 1280 x 720 video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 385g - 119 x 71 x 36mm
- Introduced October 2009
- Refreshed by Panasonic GF2
(Full Review)
- 16MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 100 - 25600
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Sony E Mount
- 276g - 111 x 59 x 39mm
- Launched August 2012
- Succeeded the Sony NEX-5N
- Later Model is Sony NEX-5T
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/tiktok-218x150.jpg)
Panasonic GF1 vs Sony NEX-5R Overview
Here, we will be comparing the Panasonic GF1 versus Sony NEX-5R, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by rivals Panasonic and Sony. There exists a big gap among the resolutions of the GF1 (12MP) and NEX-5R (16MP) and the GF1 (Four Thirds) and NEX-5R (APS-C) have different sensor sizes.
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Approach-to-AI-Generated-Content-218x150.jpg)
The GF1 was announced 3 years earlier than the NEX-5R and that is a fairly big gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both the cameras feature the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).
Before we go straight to a in-depth comparison, here is a concise introduction of how the GF1 grades against the NEX-5R in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/No-Surprise-Pentax-17-Pre-Orders-218x150.jpg)
Panasonic GF1 vs Sony NEX-5R Gallery
Below is a preview of the gallery photos for Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 and Sony Alpha NEX-5R. The whole galleries are viewable at Panasonic GF1 Gallery and Sony NEX-5R Gallery.
Reasons to pick Panasonic GF1 over the Sony NEX-5R
GF1 | NEX-5R |
---|
Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5R over the Panasonic GF1
NEX-5R | GF1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | August 2012 | ![]() | October 2009 | More recent by 35 months |
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting screen |
Screen resolution | 920k | ![]() | 460k | Crisper screen (+460k dot) |
Touch screen | ![]() | Quickly navigate |
Common features in the Panasonic GF1 and Sony NEX-5R
GF1 | NEX-5R | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Dial exact focus | ||
Screen size | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Same screen dimensions |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither offers selfie screen |
Panasonic GF1 vs Sony NEX-5R Physical Comparison
In case you're looking to lug around your camera often, you will need to consider its weight and measurements. The Panasonic GF1 offers physical dimensions of 119mm x 71mm x 36mm (4.7" x 2.8" x 1.4") and a weight of 385 grams (0.85 lbs) whilst the Sony NEX-5R has proportions of 111mm x 59mm x 39mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") with a weight of 276 grams (0.61 lbs).
See the Panasonic GF1 versus Sony NEX-5R in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.![Camera Size Comparison with Lenses Camera Size Comparison with Lenses](https://pxlmag.com/db/assets/camera-size-comparison-animation.gif)
Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you select during that time. Below is a front view measurement comparison of the GF1 vs the NEX-5R.
![Panasonic GF1 vs Sony NEX-5R size comparison Panasonic GF1 vs Sony NEX-5R size comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-GF1-vs-Sony-Alpha-NEX-5R-size-comparison.jpg)
Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the GF1 and NEX-5R is 85 and 89 respectively.
![Panasonic GF1 vs Sony NEX-5R top view buttons comparison Panasonic GF1 vs Sony NEX-5R top view buttons comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-GF1-vs-Sony-Alpha-NEX-5R-top-view-buttons-comparison.jpg)
Panasonic GF1 vs Sony NEX-5R Sensor Comparison
Quite often, its hard to picture the gap in sensor measurements merely by going through technical specs. The graphic below might provide you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the GF1 and NEX-5R.
As you can tell, each of these cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The GF1 having a smaller sensor is going to make achieving bokeh trickier and the Sony NEX-5R will show extra detail with its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will let you crop shots way more aggressively. The older GF1 will be behind when it comes to sensor technology.
![Panasonic GF1 vs Sony NEX-5R sensor size comparison Panasonic GF1 vs Sony NEX-5R sensor size comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/sensor-compare/Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-GF1-vs-Sony-Alpha-NEX-5R-sensor-size-comparison.png)
Panasonic GF1 vs Sony NEX-5R Screen and ViewFinder
![Panasonic GF1 vs Sony NEX-5R Screen and Viewfinder comparison Panasonic GF1 vs Sony NEX-5R Screen and Viewfinder comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-GF1-vs-Sony-Alpha-NEX-5R-screen-back-comparison.jpg)
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/ai-licence-218x150.jpg)
Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/iphone-optical-stabilization-218x150.jpg)
Street Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/samsung-evo-microsd-cards-featur-218x150.jpg)
Sports Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/LP3_cut_13f_0212-218x150.jpg)
Travel Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/photography-glossary-218x150.jpg)
Landscape Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/maxresdefault-218x150.jpg)
Vlogging Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/snapchat-218x150.jpg)
Panasonic GF1 vs Sony NEX-5R Specifications
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 | Sony Alpha NEX-5R | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Panasonic | Sony |
Model type | Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 | Sony Alpha NEX-5R |
Class | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Introduced | 2009-10-14 | 2012-08-29 |
Physical type | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | Venus Engine HD | Bionz |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | Four Thirds | APS-C |
Sensor dimensions | 17.3 x 13mm | 23.4 x 15.6mm |
Sensor surface area | 224.9mm² | 365.0mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12MP | 16MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Peak resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 4912 x 3264 |
Highest native ISO | 3200 | 25600 |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW files | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Continuous AF | ||
Single AF | ||
AF tracking | ||
AF selectice | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
AF multi area | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detection focusing | ||
Contract detection focusing | ||
Phase detection focusing | ||
Total focus points | 23 | 99 |
Lens | ||
Lens support | Micro Four Thirds | Sony E |
Total lenses | 107 | 121 |
Focal length multiplier | 2.1 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Screen diagonal | 3" | 3" |
Screen resolution | 460k dots | 920k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch function | ||
Screen technology | TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle | Tilt Up 180� Down 50� TFT LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | Electronic (optional) |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 60 secs | 30 secs |
Max shutter speed | 1/4000 secs | 1/4000 secs |
Continuous shutter rate | 3.0 frames per sec | 10.0 frames per sec |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash distance | 6.00 m | no built-in flash |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in |
External flash | ||
AEB | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Max flash synchronize | 1/160 secs | 1/160 secs |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) | 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 1280x720 | 1920x1080 |
Video data format | AVCHD Lite | AVCHD |
Mic support | ||
Headphone support | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | Built-In |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 385 grams (0.85 lb) | 276 grams (0.61 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 119 x 71 x 36mm (4.7" x 2.8" x 1.4") | 111 x 59 x 39mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall rating | 54 | 78 |
DXO Color Depth rating | 21.2 | 23.7 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 10.3 | 13.1 |
DXO Low light rating | 513 | 910 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 380 photos | 330 photos |
Battery style | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | - | NPFW50 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 images)) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images)) |
Time lapse shooting | With downloadable app | |
Storage type | SD/SDHC/MMC | SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
Card slots | 1 | 1 |
Launch cost | $400 | $750 |